Dave Grohl: Nothing to Lose

by Michael Heatley

Dave Grohl, frontman for the Foo Fighters, will always be remembered as the drummer for Nirvana—a band that occupied the cultural consciousness in a way that few others ever have. This book looks at Grohl’s career to date, placing the singer/guitarist/drummer in the context of his contemporaries and those who have influenced him. It covers all the recordings—from the monumental Nevermind, which rocketed Nirvana to superstardom, to the Foo Fighters’ million-selling album One by One, and its Grammy-winning single, All My Life. Finally, he looks at the lawsuit initiated by Kurt Cobain’s widow, Courtney Love, and Grohl’s emergence as the touring drummer for underground hard-rock outfit Queens of the Stone Age.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Music

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Michael Heatley is the author or editor of over thirty biographies, including Backstreet Boys: The Unofficial Book, Bon Jovi: In Their Own Words and Rolf Harris: The Most Talented Man In The World. In 1995, he wrote the liner notes to Rolf's best-selling album Rolf Rules OK!

Since 1977 he has written more than a hundred music, sport and TV books.

He has written for magazines including Privileged View (for viewers of UK Gold and UK Living), 442 and Fultime (Fulham FC), Music Week, Billboard, Goldmine (US record collecting magazine), Radio Times, Daily Record and the Mail on Sunday color supplement.

In addition, Michael runs a fanzine in honor of legendary Welsh psychedelic rock band Man called The Welsh Connection which is circulated to a small but fervent fanbase on a bi-monthly basis.

Reviews

[Rachel Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK so I probably know everything there is to know about this guy anyway (and to be honest outside of music it's not a lot -- he's ludicrously private), but I like this one. It's written by a fan rather than a muso so there is less techy drum talk and more fangirl nonsense :)

[Kate Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adults/ High School. Interesting biography, but a bit heavy on the throwing around band names/influences for me. Very interesting but I don't know too much about the evolution of music, etc. All in all though-- Grohl seems like a pretty cool guy and the Foos will probably always be my band of choice. Rock on!

[Shane Schirmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, easy read. Nothing earth shattering in the content, and in my opinion, not enough personal stuff. I really love Dave Grohl's music, but I really found myself wanting to get clear of the Nirvana section of the book. I also found the narrative pattern of, "this album came out, with this song, which had this hook, followed by this song..." It got a tad monotonous.

[Casey Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love dave and his work but I wasn't blown away by the organization of this book. I got bored with it towards the end.

[Morten · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a foo fighters fan it was good to read up on the story and the some thoughts and comments on the times, albums and tracks. But it stays at that; quotes taken from other interviews, some story that could be read from wikipedia and some random rock band trivia here and there. I am happy to know more about the story (thanks for compiling the information), bit would be interesting with a more personal tale (or I might be biased after reading the autobiography by slash... with it's slightly higher octane level)

[Morag · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you had a pile of cuttings on Dave Grohl and you put them in chronological order and added a narrative, this is what you'd get. I don't think there are any insights that aren't in the public domain and all you get is what Mr Grohl has chosen to put across in interviews. For die-hard fans only.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't a bad read, but wasn't that great either. Interesting to read about Dave. Such a music fanatic and audiophile.

[André Luis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bem completo, pra quem é fã de Foo Fighters e do Dave...

indispensável

[miaaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dave Grohl, for me, is always an interesting figure. First, he's first and always a drummer by heart! Of course his famous drumming time was with Nirvana that in my youth time (yes I was young once) bring different colour for the regular music I listen to. Mind you I listen to my dad's old collections, mostly were classic rocks (and heavy metals).

Two, Foo Fighter man! What's not to like from this band?! I might not know everything about them, because to be honest I want to hear their musics not who are they sleeping with at the moment and what brand they wears or some other sh*ts like that.

However, the biographer I think spent too much time talking about his researches regarding the band and the man: the albums, side projects, details on gigs or festivals they attended bla bla bla. I want more, I meant really really more, insights of his crazy mind not his schedules!

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dave Grohl the life and times, well as far as 2008 at any rate! Well researched and easy to read, if your already a major Foo's /Grhol fan then your probably not going to learn much from this book but as a bit of light 'toilet' reading or for reacquainting your self with the odd foo's fact you can't go far wrong with this book!

[Greg Leblanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, lots of unknown info. The writer has interesting info from his point of view.

[Juliana · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I like Dave Grohl and his bands, this book is not well-written and soooooo boring! I couldn't finish it and probably never will...

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, though it would probably only be interesting if you are already a fan. Fascinated with how much he has accomplished. It's incredible how many other musicians he has collaborated with.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short book; not much in there that you wouldn't find by Googling.